Sign light



March 10, 1942. D. G. SAAF SIGN LIGHT Fild May 26,

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S IGN LIGHT Filed May 26, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY D0406 50/0/1 a ld (6 TIORNEY.

D. G. SAAF March 10, 1942.

SIGN LIGHT Filed May 26, 1958 IWENTOR. flrfi G. ala/f 3%, W

ATTORNEY.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented M31.- 10, 1942 SIGN LIGHT Dirk G. Saaf, Chicago, 111., assignor to Goodrich Electric Company, Chicago, 111.,

of Illinois a corporation Application May 26, 1938, Serial No. 210,154

4 Claims.

More particularly, the invention relates to reflectors for use with electric lamps to illuminate relatively large surfaces, such as sign boards, it being the general object of the invention to pro vide a new and improved reflector for such a light which may be positioned but a short distance away from the surface to be illuminated and along an edge thereof and still provide uniform distribution of light on the surface.

Another object-is to provide a new and improved reflector adapted to provide uniform distribution of light on a sign when mounted eccen trically thereof, having a rim portion which cooperates with a light source to provide a diffused though somewhat uneven distribution of light on the sign, together with a centrally positioned reflecting element having surfaces arranged to direct light to the outer portions of the sign so as to obtain a more uniformly illuminated surface.

A further object is to provide a new and improved reflector for eccentric mounting with respect to the surface illuminated, having a rim portion of enameled metal simulating in outline the outline of the surface, and a centrally located polished metal reflecting element provided with surfaces arranged to reflect additional light to remote portions of the illuminated surface.

Other objects will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a preferred form of the invention associated with a sign board.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section along the line 3--3 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view looking at the opening of the reflector, along the line 44 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary central section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing another form of the invention associated with a sign board.

Fig. '7 is a front elevation thereof.

Fig. 8 is a view looking at the opening of the reflector of Figs. 6 and 7.

Although I have shown in the drawings and shall herein describe in detail two particular forms of the invention, I do not intend to limit the invention to "the forms shown but aim to cover all modifications and alternative constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the invention is embodied in a sign light l which is supported by suitablemeans such as a conduit H in a. position close to and adjacent one edge of a sign board l2. The sign light includes generally a fitting I3,- a lamp socket it, an electric lamp l5 having a light source located at I6, and a reflector l1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the sign light is positioned centrally in front of and slightly below the sign board, the sign board having a circular outline.

Generally, when reflectors are used in sign lights which are positioned adjacent or outside of an edge of the sign to be illuminated, the distribution of the light on the sign varies greatly, and in order to obtain any satisfactory distribution it is necessary to mount the sign light a considerable distance away from the sign board so that the distance from the source of light to the nearest edge of the sign board is not much shorter than the distance from the source of light to the farthest edge of the sign board. When the usual form of reflector is used in a sign light positioned as closely as contemplated herein and as shown in Fig. 1, the direct light from the lamp and the reflected light cause a much higher intensity of. illumination on the lower central portion of the sign board. In order to obtain more uniform distribution of light on the sign board when the sign light is positioned close to the board, the invention provides means for reflecting, sufficient quanities of light to the remaining portions of the board.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the reflector i1 is of the double bowl type having a concave anportion 2| formed on a relatively shorter diameter, and a tubular neck portion 22. The interior of the rim portion 20 is used as a reflecting surface and is preferably enameled white so as to reflect 'a diffused light. The rim portion 20 is round in the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, wherein the sign light is associated with a sign board of circular outline, it being generally preferable to provide the reflector with a peripheral outline similar in shape to that of the sign so as to confine theillumination substantially to the area of the sign. The direct light from the lamp l5, together with the reflected light from the rim portion 20 of the reflector illuminates the sign but with a somewhat uneven distribution of the light, the greatest illumination occurring on the lower central portion of the sign board marked A in Fig. 2.

In order to obtain uniform distribution of light 55 on the sign board, the invention provides addinular rim portion 20, a concave annular inner tional reflecting surfaces immediately adjacent and surrounding the light source, which surfaces function to reflect light in a suitable quantities and in the proper directions to attain such uniform distribution. In the form illustrated, this means comprises a reflecting element 25 which may be of polished metal so as to operate more efficiently as a reflector. The element 2'5 is provided with a plurality of different reflecting surfaces which are joined at their adjacent edges. As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, a central aperture 26 is provided for the lamp l5, and extending outwardly from the sides of this aperture in somewhat elliptical outline are reflecting surfaces Band C. As illustrated in Fig. 3, these surfaces extend upwardly to a slight degree toward the lamp aperture, and preferably rise toward a transverse axis of the ellipse, as shown in Fig. 5, in order to direct light principally to the areas marked B and C in Fig. 2'. The direction of the light from these surfaces is indicated generally by the dashed arrows .B" and Immediately surrounding the surfaces B and C, the element 25 is shaped toform a concave reflecting surface D of elliptical outline, the contour of which above and below the lamp aperture is shown best in Fig. 5. In addition to being concave in the direction shown by the sectioned portionrof Fig. 5, this portion of the reflecting element 25 is also concave in a transverse direction. as indicated in Fig. 5 by the rise from the lowermost portion of the reflecting element indicated by the edge in section to the periphery 25' of the portion D. The reflecting surface D is so positioned and shaped as to direct light rays principally to the upper central portion D on the sign board, as indicated by the arrow D". The side portions E, E and F, F of the reflecting surface D function to reflect light to the upper, outer portions E and F of the sign, as indicated by the arrows E" and F"..

The reflecting element 25 is also provided with a peripheral or rim portion 21 forming surfaces G and H. As illustrated most clearly in Fig. 3, this rim portion isslightly concave and extends forwardly at a relatively sharp angle so that the edge of the reflecting member joins the inner edge of the annular rim portion 20. The surfaces G and H formed by the rim portion 21 are positioned and shaped so as to reflect light particularly to the lower side portions G and H of the sign, as indicated by the arrows G" and H" in Fig. 2.

Although the reflecting element 25 may be formed of various materials and may, if desired, be formed integrally with the annular rim portion 20, particularly satisfactory results have been obtained by making the reflecting element 25 of polished aluminum. Similarly, although the annular rim member may be formed of various materials and finished to provide either a diffused or a non-diffused light, particularly satisfactory results have been obtained by using an annular rim 2!) having a white enameled surface, in combination with a reflecting element of polished metal. By providing a reflector with the surfaces herein shown, the'light reflected by the surfaces of the element 25 adds to the non-uniform light which emanates directly from the light source l6 and the annular rim portion 20 and provides a total illumination of the sign board of substan-' tially uniform intensity.

As illustrated in the drawings, the element 25 is in the form of an insert and is secured to the neck portion 22 of the reflector II by means of a strap member welded to the neck portion22 at 3| and provided with a bent-over end 22 having a bolt receiving open-end slot 33, a bolt and nut device 34 passing through a suitable aperture in *the element 25 and the slot 23 to secure the element in place. The peripheral edge 35 of the reflector is preferably beaded, as shown, so as to facilitate the attachment of a glass 38 by means of a channel-like rim 31, a felt protecting l0 rim 38, and a suitable clamping device 29.

In the form illustrated 'in Figs. 6 to 8, the invention is particularly adapted for use with a sign board 40 of square or rectangularoutline. In this form of the invention, the reflector com- 15 prises a peripheral or rim portion 4] having a square or rectangular edge 42 and reflecting surfaces 43, 44, 45 and 46 which are substantially flat and converse inwardly and rearwardly to join withv the' peripheral edge of a reflecting element 20 25 substantially identical with that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5. Since the surfaces on the reflecting element 25 may be the same as those shown in Figs. 1 to 5, they are marked in an identical manner, as are also the various portions of the 25 sign 40 and the arrows leading thereto.

It will be readily apparent'that the invention provides a reflector having one portion such as the rim 2!! of Figs. 1 to 5 which provides general although non-uniform illumination on the sign 3" board, the non-uniform character of the distribution being caused partly by the direct light from the lamp which is most effective on the immediately adjacent or lower central portion of the sign board and, in addition, provides means 35 for reflecting light in proper'quantitles and 'in the proper directions so as to obtain .a uniform distribution of the total light. In another sense, the invention provides a reflector having a symmetrical portion such as the rim portion 20, to-

40 gether, with a non-symmetrical portion such as the element 25 for compensating for the eccentric mounting of the light source and reflector with respect to the sign board.

In the forms illustrated in the drawings, the

45 invention is shown associated with sign lights which are mounted below and in front of sign boards, In practice, these sign boards may take the form of those used frequently around automobile service stations where they .are mounted 50 upon relatively high pedestals so as to be visible at a distance. Heretofore, lights for such signs have been positioned above the signs and a considerable distance in front of the sign board in) as to obtain a uniform illumination. Because of the distance, the sign light was positioned away from the sign board. It was'necessary to locate the sign light above the sign board. As illustrated herein, however, the reflector provides for uniform distribution of light on the sign board when the sign light is mounted extremely close to the board, with the result that the sign light may be located below the sign board and still afford a wide ,open view of the sign to. approaching motorists until they are practically underneath the sign. Thus, at the distances from which the sign is usually observed, a non-obstructed view thereof is obtained.

I claim as my invention: 1. A reflector for providing substantially uni- 10 form distribution of light on a sign board when positioned close to the board and adjacent one edge thereof comprising, in combination. a bowlshaped member of enameled metal arranged to provide general diffused illumination on the sign board and a polished metal reflecting element positioned within said bowl-shaped memher and having reflecting surfaces arranged to reflect light to the corners and edge portions of the sign board, said polished metal reflecting element having a substantially central lamp receiving aperture, reflecting surfaces onopposite sides of said aperture arranged to direct light to the mid-portions of the sides of the sign board, concave reflecting surfaces above and below said aperture arranged to direct light to the upper portion of the sign board and forwardly directed surfaces along its side edges joining said bowlshaped member and arranged to reflect light to the lower outer portions of the sign board.

2. A reflector for providing substantially uniform distribution of light on a sign board when positioned close tothe board and adjacent one edge thereof comprising, in combination, a bowlshaped member of enameled metal arranged to provide general diffused illumination on the sign board and reflecting means positioned centrally of said bowl-shaped member and having reflecting surfaces arranged 'to reflect light to the corners and edge portions of the sign board, said reflecting means having a substantially central lamp receiving aperture, reflecting surfaces on opposite sides of said aperture arranged to direct light to the mid-portions of the sides of the sign board, reflecting surfaces above and below said aperture arranged to direct light to the upper portion, of the sign board and forwardly directed surfaces along its side edges joining said bowlshaped member and arranged to reflect light to the lower outer portions of the sign board.

3. A sign lighting flxture for mounting eccentrically of a sign comprising, in combination, a reflector shaped generally like a bowl having a periphery corresponding in shape to that of the sign and providing an uneven distribution of light over the sign, and means for directing light onto the sign so as to obtain a substantially uniform light intensity thereon comprising a centrally positioned reflector element having a transversely extending elliptically l outlined surface for directing light substantially across the central portion of the sign, a larger elliptically outlined surface surrounding said first mentioned surface and arranged to direct light to the upper central portion of the sign and i5 peripheral arcuate and concave surfaces arranged to direct light to the corners of the sign.

4. A sign lighting fixture for mounting eccentrica-lly of a sign comprising, in combination, an enameled reflector shaped generally like a bowl having a periphery corresponding in shape to that of the sign and providing an uneven distribution of light over the sign, and means for directing light onto the sign so as to obtain a substantially uniform light intensity thereon comprising a 2:) centrally positioned reflector element of polished metal having a transversely extending elliptically outlined surface for directing light substantially across the central portion of the sign, a larger elliptically outlined surface surrounding said first mentioned surface and arranged to direct light to the upper central portion of the sign and peripheral arcuate and concave surfaces arranged to direct light to the comers of the sign.

DIRK G. SAAF. 

